Wire-stretcher



(No Model.)

J. s. S PARKMAN. WIRE STRETGHER.

No. 512,629. Patented Jan. 9, 1894.

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W-iigessiz UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES S. SPARKMAN, OF HAMILTON,TEXAS.

WlRE-STRETOHER.

SPEGIFIGATIONforming part of Letters Patent No. 512,629, dated January 9, 1894. Application filedfieptember 7,1893. Serial No. 485,008. (No model.)

Texas, have invented a new and useful Wire-- Stretcher, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in wire stretchers.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of wire stretchers, and to provide an exceedingly simple and inexpensive one, which may be readily arranged for stretching any one of a series of fence wires, and which will not necessitate the bracing of fence posts to which it is anchored when stretching the upper wires of a fence.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a-wire stretcher constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawlngs.

1 designates an approximately rectangular frame, suitably braced and having. vertical parallel side bars 2, which are provided each with a vertical series of bearing recesses 3, to permit a wire stretcher shaft at to be arranged at the proper height for stretching a fence wire 5. The shaft has its ends extended beyond the sides of 'a wire stretcher frame 6, and is provided with cylindrical flanges or disks 7 and 8 arranged between the sides 9 of the. frame 6 and forming a drum or reel on which is wound a rope 10, designed to be attached by means of a single clamp to any one of a series of fence wires.

The frame 6 is provided at the inner ends of the sides 9 with bearings to receive the shaft, and the outer portion of the frame 6 is case were the rope attached at or near the top of the post. The main frame 1 enables the shaft of the wire stretcher to be arranged at the proper elevation forstretchinga fence wire and permits the anchoring rope, as above set forth, to be secured at the bottom of a post.

The shaft is rotated for stretching a wire by an operating lever 13, provided at its inner end with side plates 14., which are provided with bearings to receive the shaft, and which are arranged on opposite sides of a ratchet Wheel 15, the latter being engaged by -a pawl 16 pivotally mounted between the plates 14. The shaft is held against retrograde rotation by a check-pawl 17, which is pivotally mounted on the frame 6 and engages ratchet teeth 18 of the flange or disk 8.

It will be apparent that the wire stretcher is simple and inexpensive in construction and efficient in operation, and that by means of the main frame it may be readily adjusted to the proper elevation for stretching a fence wire.

It will be seen that the wire stretcher does not materially alter its position, i. (2., it remains the same distance from the post to which the anchoring rope is attached while stretching a series of. fence wires, and that there is no liability of the main frames twisting and turning.

Changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

What I claim is- 1. In a wire stretcher, the combination of a main frame provided with a vertical series of bearing recesses at each side of it, a wire stretcher frame having an anchoring rope at one end and provided with bearings at the other end, a shaft journaled in' the bearings of the wire stretcher frame and extended beyond the same and adapted to have its ends arranged in any of the bearing recesses of the main frame and designed to be connected with a fence wire, and means for rotating the shaft and holding the same against retrograde rotation, substantially as described.

2. In a wire stretcher, the combination of a main frame having vertical sides and provided at each of them with a vertical series of bearing recesses, a wire stretcher frame provided at its inner ends with bearings and having means for anchoring it at its outer end, a shaft journaled in the bearings of the wire stretcher frame and having its ends extended beyond the same and arranged in bearing recesses of the main frame and provided with annular flanges forming a drum, one of the flanges having ratchet teeth, a check-pawl mounted on the wire stretcher frame and engaging said ratchet teeth, a rope wound around the shaft between the flanges thereof and designed to be connected to a fence wire, a ratchet wheel mounted on the shaft, and an operating lever fulcrumed on the shaft and provided with a pawl engaging the ratchet wheel, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in 20 the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES S. SPARKMAN.

WVitnesses:

A. P. SHOCKLEY, W. M. SPARKMAN. 

